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AN 


Historical, Archceological and Geological 


EXAMINATION OF 

FINGAL’S CAVE, 

IN THE ISLAND OF STAFFA. 


Rewritten and Enlarged from the Original Report 

Made to the 

Smithsonian Institution, 

In the year 1887. 


Bv J. B. 

»\ 

Honorary Member of the Gaelic Society of Inverfiess ; Corresfonding Member of the 
Davenport Academy of Sciences ; also of the Historical Society of Northern Ohio ; 
Author of a History of Clan MacLea7i,'' ‘'The Motifid Bteilders,” 
“Antiquity of Man," “ Mastodoti, I^Iammoth a?id 3Ian." 


Subscribers’ Edition. 


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CINCINNATI : 

ROBERT CLARKE & CO. 

1S90. 




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By IrajoEfer, 

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ADVERTISEMENT. 




On April i8th, 1887, the following letter was received from the 
late Professor Spencer F. Baird : 

“Smithsonian Institution, 
Washington, D. C., April 15, 1887. 

Dear Sir: — I enclose a communication just received from Prof. 
Mason, making some suggestions in regard to your intended exam- 
ination of Fingal’s Cave, See. 

Yours truly, 

SPENCER F. BAIRD. 

Prof. J. P. MacLean.” 


“United States National Museum, 

Under Direction of The Smithsonian Institution, 

Washington, April 14, i88y. 

Mr. W. J. Rhees — 

My Dear Sir : It would be very desirable to have Dr. MacLean 
make a critical examination of Fingal’s Cave, and other antiquities in 
the neighborhood, because his long experience in this country with 
Archaeological matters will enable him to bring a large degree of prac- 
tical knowledge to the solution of a problem which has been very much 
mystified by theories. 

It seems incredible that any one should suppose these caves to be- 
the work of man. It is quite possible, however, that evidence of very 
ancient occupation may be discovered by those who know how to look 
for them. 

Wishing Dr. MacLean great success in his undertaking, 

I am, very truly yours, 

O. T. MASON.” 

Now there arose up a new king over Egypt., which knew not Josephs 

— Bible. 



I. THE ISLAND OF STAFFA. 


The island of Staffa constitutes one of the inner 
Hebrides, being situated on longitude 6^20' west from 
Greenwich and on north latitude 56^26'. It is seven 
miles distant from the west coast ot the southern part 
of the Isle of Mull, and removed six miles due north 
of the most northerly point of the Ross of Mull, or 
rather that part nearest the island of Iona. A line 
drawn from the extreme northern part of Iona to the 
extreme western point of Gometra, would pass through 
Staffa. This would locate it in the great bay formed 
by the two arms of the Isle of Mull, which contains a 
group of over twenty islands, not including the mass- 
ive rocks, which are laid bare during the ebb of the 
tide. Staffa is oval in shape, its greater breadth being 
one mile, and its lesser diameter one-half mile. 

Viewed from a distance, the island is insignificant in 
comparison with surrounding isles, and one which 
would not provoke remark unless special attention 
should be called to it. Standing near the north end 
of Iona, Staffa appears to be a low projecting rock 
jutting out from Ulva and Gometra, with the mount- 
ains of Mornish, in Mull, forming a background. Look- 
ing north-east, the perpendicular cliffs of Gribun and 
xVrdmeadhnach, in places twelve hundred feet in height, 
the summit of lofty Ben More, and the trap terraces of 
Bourg, present a near and commanding view. In the 
distance, to the left, may be seen Rum, Egg and the 
Cuchulin Hills of Skye. Apparently Nature has 

erected these great structures and unique scenery, in 
order to surprise the mind with the wonders revealed 
on Staffa. 



VIEW OF ADJACENT COAST OF MULL. 



THE ISLAND OF STAFF A. 


r' 

D 


If the great prominence of Mull, along its western 
coast, creates a disappointment on first viewing Staffa, 
that impression is fully removed, immediately on 
reaching the island. Although the highest point of 
Staffa does not exceed one hundred and forty-four feet, 
yet its surface is very rugged, and its contour irregular. 



STAFFA, WITH COLONNADE. 


In places the basaltic columns break through and form 
avenues, guarded by rocks of peculiar forms. These 
avenues are not peculiar alone to Staffa, for they may 
be noticed on the Ross of Mull and the Garvelloch 
Isles. On the latter they may be seen, in some in- 
stances winding, and in others, presenting a straight 
course. 

The Isle has but one landing point, which is in the 
north-east, in the lee of the prevailing winds, where is 
a tract of low shore stretching out in beaches, and only 
accessible when the ocean permits. If the sea is quiet 
a landing may be effected in other places by rowing 
close to low broken columns and then by a quick move- 





4 


VIEW FROM NORTH OF IONA, LOOKING NORTH. 


CAVERNS OF STAFFA. 


7 


ment springing upon the ends of projecting rocks. 
The summit is gained by a stairway recently con- 
structed. 


II. CAVERNS OF STAFFA. 

The island owes its celebrity to Fingal’s Cave, lo- 
cated in its extreme southern point. Close to and 
west of Fingal’s Cave is the Boat Cave. It is access- 
ible only by sea. Its height is fifteen feet; breadth 
twelve feet, and depth or length, one hundred and 
fifty feet. 

West of the Boat Cave is MacKinnon’s, or the Cor- 
morant Cave, which is easy of access, and terminating 
in a gravelly beach. This cavern is fifty feet high at 
its entrance; breadth forty-eight feet, and length two 
hundred and twenty-four feet. / 

The Clam-shell cave is on the east shore. It is one 
hundred and thirty feet long; thirty feet high, and 
eighteen feet broad at the entrance. This cave pre- 
sents the peculiarity of having the columns on one side 
bent, forming a series of ribs, not unlike the timbers 
of a ship ; while the opposite side or wall is formed by 
the ends of columns, presenting the appearance of a 
honey-comb. 

The columns composing the caverns have short 
joints, fitting together by the ball and socket process. 
Both concave and convex extremities are presented on 
the surface, where the columns have been broken, or 
the upper joints removed. It could only be deter- 
mined by actual count whether the concave or convex 
extremity predominated on the surface of the exposed 
joints. The columns are so perfectly jointed that the 
point of a knife will not pass between. The average 


8 


fingal’s cave. 


diameter of the columns is two feet, although some 
may approach four feet. The hexagonal and pentag- 
onal forms predominate, although mixed with figures 
of three, four, and even eight and nine sides, but rare- 
ly reaching ten. 

III. FINGAL’S CAVE. 

Fingahs Cave is approached from the eastern side 
of the isle, and reached by passing over the upright 
ends of broken columns, and leaving on the left the 
Herdsman, — a severed rock, thirtv feet hio-h, formed of 
small columns. Passing the southern-most extremity 
of the island, and turning suddenly to the right, the 
entrance of the cavern is presented. Whatever dis- 
appointment the first view of Staffa may have occa- 
sioned, or the impression made by the cave whilst in 
the ship, is now thoroughly dissipated. It requires no 
previous knowledge to be impressed by this great 
wonder. There are many larger caverns, but no- 
where else is there a great hall of columns standing 
round an ocean floor, and sending forth, in ceaseless 
reverberations, the measured music of the waves. No 
other wonder produces such an effect upon the mind. 
Glancing in, there may be seen solid basaltic pillars 
rising on the eastern side to a height of eighteen, and 
on the western thirty-six feet. Two lines of broken 
columns greet the eye, over one of which the intruder 
must pass in order to reach the extremity. Above 
columns may be seen extending from the roof, while 
the center of the arch, apparently, appears to be formed 
of a different material. The arch above presents as 
striking a figure as any other part of the cavern. The 
lofty pillars are exceedingly hard and as rough as un- 


fingal’s cave. 


9 


polished iron, almost grating the hand when it is 
passed over them. Between the pillars, at different 
points, are traces of a layer of an infiltration of lime. 

For a knowledge of the cavern, the world was first 
indebted to Sir Joseph Banks, unless a very brief no- 
tice by Buchanan be made an exception. The account 
written by Sir Joseph Banks was communicated to 
Thomas Pennant, who published it in the second vol- 
ume of his “Tour in Scotland,” in 1774, accompanied 
with six illustrations, taken from Sir Joseph’s drawings. 
Sir Joseph visited the island on August 12th, 1772; 
and as his account is the first detailed description of 
both Staffa and P^ingal’s Cave, it is here inserted in 
full : 

“In the sound of Mull we came to anchor, on the 
Morvern side, opposite to a gentleman’s house, called 
Drimnen ; the owner of it, Mr. Mac Lean, having found 
out who we were, very cordially asked us ashore : we 
accepted his invitation, and arrived at his house, where 
Ave met an English gentleman, Mr. Leach, who no 
sooner saw us than he told us, that about nine leagues 
from us was an island where he believed no one even 
in the Highlands had been, on which were pillars like 
those of the Giant’s Causeway : this was a great ob- 
ject to me who had wished to have seen the causeway 
itself, would time have allowed : I therefore resolved 
to proceed directly, especially as it was just in the way 
to the Columb Kill (Iona) ; accordingly, having put up 
two days’ provisions, and my little tent, we put off in 
the boat about one o’clock for our intended voyage, 
having ordered the ship to wait for us in Tobermory, 
a very fine harbor on the Mull side. 

“At nine o’clock, after a tedious passage, having had 
not a breath of wind, we arrived, under the direction 



(lo) 


% 


CLAM-SHELL CAVE, SHOWING BENDING PILLARS. 

















fingal’s cave. 


1 1 

of Mr. MacLeaii’s son, and Mr. Leach. It was too dark 
to see any thing, so we carried our tent and baggage 
near the only house upon the island, and began to cook 
our suppers, in order to be prepared for the earliest 
dawn, to enjoy that which from the conversation of the 
gentlemen we had now raised the highest expectation 
of. 

“The impatience which everybody felt to see the 
wonders we had heard so largely described, prevented 
our morning’s rest; every one was up and in motion 
before the break of day, and with the first light arrived 
at the S. W. part of the island, the seat of the most 
remarkable pillars; where we no sooner arrived than 
we were struck with a scene of magnificence which 
exceeded our expectations, though formed, as we 
thought, upon sanguine foundations; the whole of 
that end of the island supported by ranges of natural 
colonnades, according as the bays or points of land 
formed themselves: upon a firm basis of solid unformed 
rock above these, the stratum which reaches to the 
soil or surface of the island, varied in thickness, as the 
island itself formed into hills or valleys; each hill, which 
hung over the columns below, forming an ample ped- 
iment; some of these above 6o feet in thickness, from 
the base to the point, formed, by the sloping of the hill 
on each side, almost into the shape of those used in 
architecture. 

“Compared to this what are the cathedrals or the 
palaces built by men ! mere models or playthings, 
imitations as diminutive as his works will always be 
when compared to those of nature. Where is now the 
boast of the architect ! regularity the only part in which 
he fancied himself to exceed his mistress, Nature, is 
here found in her possession, and here it has been for 


fingal’s cave. 


I 2 

ages undescribed. Is not this the school where the art 
was originally studied, and what had been added to this 
by the whole Grecian school? a capital to ornament the 
column of nature, ot which they could execute only a 
model ; and for that very capital they were obliged to 
a bush of Acanthus : how amply does nature repay 
those who study her wonderful works ! 

“With our minds full of such reflections we pro- 
ceeded along the shore, treading upon another Giant’s 
Causeway, every stone being regularly formed into a 
certain number of sides and angles, till in a short 
time we arrived at the mouth of a cave, the most mag- 
nificent, I suppose, that has ever been described by 
travelers. 

“ The mind can hardly form an idea more magnificent 
than such a space, supported on each side by ranges 
of columns ; and roofed by the bottoms of those which 
have been broken off in order to form it ; between the 
angles of which a yellow stalagmitic matter has exuded, 
which serves to define the angles precisely; and at the 
same time vary the color with a great deal of elegance, 
and to render it still more ao^reeable, the whole is 
lighted from without; so that the farthest extremity is 
very plainly seen from without, and the air within be- 
ing agitated by the flux and reflux of the tides, is per- 
fectly dry and wholesome, free entirely from the damp 
vapors with which natural caverns in general abound. 

“We asked the name of it ; said our guide, the cave 
of Fiubn ; what is Fiubn? said we; Fiubn MacCoul, 
whom the translator of Ossian’s works has called Fin- 
gal ; how fortunate that in this cave we should meet 
with the remembrance of that chief, whose existence, as 
well as that of the whole Epic poem, is almost doubted 
in England. 


13 


fingal’s cave. 

“Enough for the beauties of Staffa, I shall now pro- 
ceed to describe it and its productions more philosoph- 
ically. 

“The little island' of Staffa lies on the west coast of 
Mull, about three leagues N. E. from Iona, or the Co- 
lumb Kill ; its greatest length is about an English mile, 
and its breadth about half a one. On the west side of 
the island is a small bay, where boats generally land ; 
a little to the southward of which the first appearance 
of pillars are to be observed ; they are small, and in- 
stead of being placed upright, lie down on their sides, 
each forming a segment of a circle : from thence you 
pass a small cave, above which, the pillars now grown 
a little larger, are inclining in all directions : in one 
place in particular a small mass of them very much re- 
semble the ribs of a ship : from hence, having passed 
the cave, which, if it is not low water, you must do in a 
boat, you come to the first ranges of pillars, which are 
still not above half as large as those a little beyond. 
Over against this place is a small island, called in Erse, 
Boo-sha-la, separated from the main by a channel not 
many fathoms wade ; this whole island is composed of 
pillars without any stratum above them ; they are still 
small, but by much the neatest formed of any about 
the place. 

“The first division of the island, for at high water it 
is divided into two. makes a kind of a cone, the pillars 
conver^inor together towards the center; on the other, 
they are in general laid down flat, and in the Iront, 
next to the main, you see how beautifully they are 
packed together; their ends coming out square with 
the bank wd'iich they form ; all these have their trans- 
verse sections exact, and their surfaces smooth, which 
is by no means the case with the large ones, which are 


H 


fingal’s cave. 


cracked in all directions. I must question, however, if 
any one of this whole island of Boo-sha-la, is two feet 
in diameter. 

“The main island opposite to Boo-sha-la and farther 
towards the N. \V. is supported by ranges of pillars 
pretty erect, and tho’ not tall, (as they are not uncov- 
ered to the base,) of large diameters ; and at their feet 
is an irregular pavement, made by the upper sides of 
such as have been broken off, which extends as far 
under water as the eye can reach. Here the forms of 
the pillars are apparent ; these are of three, four, five, 
six and seven sides ; but the numbers of five and six 
are by much the most prevalent. The longest I meas- 
ured was of seven ; it was four feet five inches in di- 
ameter. I shall give the measurement of its sides, 
and those of some other forms which I met with : 


No. I. — 4 sides, diam. i ft. 5 in. 



Ft. 

In. 

Side I, 

I 

5 

i i ^ 

^ } 

I 

I 

i < ^ 

I 

6 

“ 4 , 

I 

I 

— 6 sides, 

diam. 

3 ft 


Ft. 

In. 

Side I, 

0 

10 

i i ^ 

^ f 

2 

2 

< i ^ 

0 

2 




“ 4 , 

I 

1 1 

“ 5. 

2 

n 

6 , 

2 

9 


No. 2. — 5 sides, diam. 2 ft. 10 in. 

Ft. In. 


Side I, 

I 

10 

ii ^ 

I 

10 

i i 0 

I 

5 

“ 4 , 

I 

jVz 

“ 5 > 

I 

8 

— 7 sides. 

diam. 

Ft. 

4 ft. 5 in. 
In. 

Side I, 

2 

10 

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— » 

2 

4 

3 ? 

I 

10 

“ 4. 

0 

0 

“ 5. 

I 

I 

“ 6 , 

I 

6 

7 . 

I 

3 


“The surfaces of these large pillars in general are 
rough and uneven, full of cracks in all directions; the 
transverse figures in the upright ones never fail to run 
in their true directions: the surfaces upon which we 




I6--I7) 


FINGAL’S CAVF 








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19 


fingal’s cave. 

walked were often flat, having neither concavity nor 
convexity : the larger number, however, were concave, 
tho’ some were very evidently convex; in some places 
the interstices within the perpendicular figures were 
filled up with a yellow spar: in one place a vein passed 
in among the mass of pillars, carrying here and there 
small threads of spar. Tho’ they were broken and 
cracked through and through in all directions, yet their 
perpendicular figures might easily be traced; from 
whence it is easy to infer, that whatever the accident 
might have been, that caused their dislocation, it hap- 
pened after the formation of the pillars. 

“From hence, proceeding along shore, you arrive 
at Fingal’s Cave: its dimensions tho’ I have given, I 
shall here again repeat in the form of a table : 


Ft. In. 

“Length of the cave from the rock without, 371 6 

From the pitch of the arch, 250 o 

Breadth of ditto, at the mouth 53 7 

At the farther end,. 20 o 

Height of the arch at the mouth 117 6 

At the end, 7^ o 

Height of an outside pillar 39 ^ 

Of one of the N. \V. corner, 54 o 

Depth of water at the mouth, 18 o 

At the bottom 9 o 


The cave runs into the rock in the direction of N. E. 
by E. by the compass. 

“ Proceeding farther to the N. \V. you meet with the 
highest ranges of pillars, the magnificent appearance of 
which is past all description: here they are bare to 
their verv basis, and the stratum below them is also 
visible: in a short time it rises many feet above the 
water, and gives an opportunity of examining its quality. 
Its surface is rough, and has often large lumps of stone 
sticking in it, as if half immersed; itself, when broken, is 


20 


fingal’s cave. 

composed of a thousand heterogeneous parts, which to- 
gether have very much the appearance of a lava, and 
the more so as many of the lumps appear to be of the 
very same stone of which the pillars are formed. This 
whole stratum lies in an inclined position, dipping grad- 
ually towards the S. E. As hereabouts is the situation 
of the highest pillars, I shall mention my measurements 
of them and the different strata in this place, promising 
that the measurements were made with a line held in 
the hand of a person who stood at the top of the cliff, 
and reaching to the bottom, to the lower end of which 
was tied a white mark, which was observed by one 
who staid below for the purpose when this mark was 
set off from the water, the person below noted it down, 
and made signal to him above, who made then a mark 
in his rope: whenever this mark passed a notable place 
the same signal was made, and the name of the place 
noted down as before: the line being all hauled up, and 
the distances between the marks measured and noted 
down, gave, when compared with the book kept below, 
the distances, as for instance in the cave : 

“No I in the book below, was called from the water 
to the foot of the first pillar in the book above; No. i 
gave 36 feet 8 inches, the highest of that ascent, which 
was composed of broken pillars. 


No. I. Pillar at the west corner of Fingal’s Cave. Ft. In. 

1. From the water to the foot of the pillar, 12 10 

2. Height of the pillar, 37 3 

3. Stratum above the pillar, 66 9 

No. 2. Fingal’s Cave. 

1. From the water to the foot of the pillar, 36 8 

2. Height of the pillar, 39 6 

3. From the top of the pillar to the top of the arch,... 31 4 

By adding together the three first measurements, we got the 

height of the arch from the water, 1 17 6 


fingal’s cave. 2 I 

No. 3. Corner pillar to the westward of Fingal’s Cave. Ft. In. 

Stratum below the pillar of lava-like matter, 1 1 o 

Lengtli of pillar, 54 o 

Stratum above the pillar, 61 6 

No. 4. Another pillar to the westward. 

Stratum below the pillar, 17 i 

Fleight of the pillar, 50 o 

Stratum above, 51 i 

No. 5. Another pillar farther to the westward. 

Stratum below the pillar, 19 8 

Height of the pillar, 55 i 

Stratum above, 54 7 


‘‘The stratum above the pillars, which is here men- 
tioned, is uniformly the same, consisting of numberless 
small pillars, bending and inclining in all directions, 
sometimes so irregularly that the stones can only be 
said to have an inclination to assume a columnar form ; 
in others more regular, but never breaking into, or 
disturbing the stratum of large pillars, whose tops 
everywhere keep an uniform and regular line. 

“Proceeding now along shore round the north end 
of the island, you arrive at Oua na Scarve, or the Cor- 
morant’s Cave : here the stratum under the pillars is 
lifted up very high ; the pillars above it are consider- 
ably less than those at the N. W. end of the island, 
but still very considerable. Beyond is a bay, which cuts 
deep into the island, rendering it in that place not more 
than a quarter of a mile over. On the sides of this bay, 
especially beyond a little valley, which almost cuts the 
island into two, are two stages of pillars, but small; how- 
ever having a stratum between them exactly the 
same as that above them, formed of innumerable little 
pillars, shaken out of their places and leaning in all di- 
rections. 

“ Having passed this bay, the pillars totally cease ; 


22 


fingal’s cave. 


the rock is of a dark-brown stone and no signs of reg- 
ularity occur till you have passed round the S. E. end 
of the island (a space almost as large as that occupied 
by the pillars) which you meet again on the west side, 
beginning to form themselves irregularly, as ifthe stra- 
tum had an inclination to that form, and soon arrived 
at the bending pillars where I began. 

“ The stone of which the pillars are formed is a 
coarse kind of Basalt, very much resembling the Giant’s 
Causeway in Ireland, though none of them are near so 
neat as the specimens of the latter, which I have seen 
at the British Museum; owing chiefly to the color, 
which in ours is a dirty brown, in the Irish a fine black ; 
indeed the whole production seems very much to resem- 
ble the Giant’s Causeway ; with which I should willing- 
ly compare it had I any account of the former before 

} j 

me. 

It might be well to add at this point that having 
visited both the Giant’s Causeway, and Fingal’s Cave, 
I am able to testify that the latter surpasses the for- 
mer so much in grandeur that in order to appreciate 
the Giant’s Causeway it should be seen first. 

Other measurements of Fingal’s Cave vary from 
that given by Sir Joseph Banks. “The Statistical 
Account of Argyleshire” (1845, P- 35-) gives the fol- 
lowing : “ The height from the top of the arch to that of 
the cliff above is 30 feet ; and from the top of the arch 
to the surface of the water at low tide, 66 feet. The 
pillars by which it is bounded on the western side are 
36 feet high; while at the eastern they are only 18. 
Powards the west, the height of the columns gradually 
increases, as they recede from the cave to the altitude 
of 54 feet. The breadth of the cave at the entrance 
is 42 feet, and this continues to within a small distance 


fingal’s cave. 23 

of the inner extremity, when it is reduced to 22. The 
total length is 227 feet.” 

“Chambers’ Encyclopaedia” (vol. ix, article “ Staffa”) 
contains the following dimensions: “The entrance is 

33 feet wide, and 60 feet high, and the length of the 
cave is 212 feet.” Appleton’s “American Encyclo- 
paedia” (article “Staffa”) has the following: Eength 
227 feet; breadth at entrance, 42 feet; breadth at in- 
ner end, 22 feet ; depth of water in floor of cave at low 
water mark, 20 feet ; height of rock above arch ^ 30 
feet ; and, height of arch above mean tide, 60 feet. 
Cameron’s “Staffa and Iona,” (page 11,) varies some- 
what from all others: “This cave is 227 feet long, 42 
feet broad, 66 feet high, and at ebb has 25 feet of 
water.” 

Other measurements have been eiven which need 
not be enumerated. The differences may result from 
different points decided upon, or quoting from careless 
writers, or else from a desire to appear to be more 
accurate than others. 

It is not to be assumed that Fingal’s Cave was un- 
known prior to the year 1772. Standing in its en- 
trance, the tower of the cathedral of Iona may be dis- 
tinctly seen. Sir Walter Scott’s attention was called 
to this, and in his “Lord of the Isles” he is moved 
to say, 

“Nor doth its entrance front in vain 
To old Iona’s holy fane, 

That Nature’s voice might seem to say, 

‘Well hast thou done, frail child of clay! 

Thy humble powers that stately shrine 
Task’d high and hard — but witness mine !” 

As the island of Iona was a very important spot to the 
Christian from the year 565 to the year 1560, during 
which time it was not only a seat of learning, but also 


24 


fingal’s cave. 


frequented by the learned of Europe, and the burial 
spot of sixty-four kings, besides many prominent chiefs 
of clans and ecclesiastical dignitaries, it would be 
doing violence to all history to presume that the Cave 
should remain unknown. Even if the Gael did not pro- 
claim its wonders, that would not be in the least sin- 
gular because such things did not receive much atten- 
tion, or awaken any interest in that people, and dur- 
ring the previous ages. Then again, it must be remem- 
bered that the Hebrides abound in caverns, and what 
the Gael had always been accustomed to from child- 
hood did not create in him surprise. He knew the cave 
and called it Llaim-binn, or Cave of Music. Indeed Sir 
Joseph Banks records that on asking the name of the 
cavern, it was readily given him. 

Prior to the promulgation of Christianity the cave 
must have been known to the Druids ; for Iona was 
once a seat of this ancient priesthood, and there they 
had a school of theology from time immemorial, and 
which continued until uprooted by St. Columba. 
Hence, the most ancient name of Iona is Innis nan 
Druineach — the isle of the Druids. 

IV. IS EINGAL’S CAVE OF HUMAN ORIGIN? 

The province of the scientist is to observe carefully 
the course of nature, and from such data as he may 
be able to collect, draw certain or definite conclusions. 
It is outside of his true province to combat mere theo- 
rists, although he may expose fallacies. Whatever is 
of interest in the way of scientific knowledge, will be 
more or less weighted by theorists, who will formulate 
their ideas, and in their promulgation will be more or 
less zealous in proportion to their want of knowledge 


25 


IS FINGAl’s cave of HUMAN' ORIGIN. 

of the subject — the less knowledge, the more zeal. 
It may not be surprising to one who has never visited 
the Hebrides to learn that the theory has been put 
forth that Finoral’s Cave is of human origin. To a 
person who has stood within its portals, the theory is 
one entirely too absurd to be regarded with patience. 
Even if pamphlets have been put forth advocating that 
it is the work of man, it does not follow that the claim 
should be critically analyzed, unless the hypothesis is 
presumably supported by certain facts which evidently 
point in that direction. 

At this late day it would be a work of supereroga- 
tion to prove that the Giant’s Causeway, in Antrim, 
Ireland, was not made by giants. It would devolve 
upon the affirmative not only to show that there was 
once a race of giants, but these people accomplished 
the work ascribed to them. If the negative demon- 
strates there never was a race of giants, then the theo- 
ry necessarily falls. It has been fully demonstrated 
that no human being could possibly live with a height 
of ten feet. 

However, it may not be out of place to present the 
following testimony to those who have not visited 
Fingal’s Cave, that they might the better judge as to 
its bein^ the result of the handiwork of man : 

a. If the cavern has been chiseled, dug, pried, or 
blowm out, there would have been certain noticeable 
markings on the remaining pillars. As these pillars 
are joined or united, for the most part, by the ball and 
socket joint, it would require tremendous power to 
unhinge them, unless the work should be commenced 
at the top of every pillar, or the joint chiseled half-way 
through. But the roof above disposes of the supposi- 
tion that the work was commenced at the top ; and if 


26 


fi^^gal’s cave. 

the chisel had been used, there would be traces on 
some of the remaining joints. A careful inspection 
presents no appearance whatever of human workman- 
ship or ancient occupation. It is true there are evi- 
dences of recent art : for the steam-ship company that 
carries tourists to the island during the summer season, 
has put up such contrivances as make the exploration 
safe to visitors ; also, the broken columns, over which 
the tourists walk, show more or less of defacement. 
But the upright columns and the broken pillars with- 
in the cavern, bear no trace of the chisel and the 
lever. 

There is no evidence of ancient occupation on the 
island. There are the remains of sheep fanks, but these 
belong to the present century. Pre-Historic people 
were more superstitious and more susceptible to fear 
than those of a recent or an enlightened age. Not- 
withstanding the enlightenment and advantages of this 
century, it is impossible to induce any one to live on 
the island. A few years ago a shepherd and his family 
were persuaded to go on the isle, but they soon be- 
seeched to be removed ; because the hollow roar made 
by the sea through the caverns during times of storms 
sounded so dismally that they became terrified. To 
a barbarous people there would be something more 
than natural forces in the fetch of the ocean which 
bursts through these pillared portals, and with the roar, 
as of artillery, surging into the darkness beyond. So 
great is the thunder caused by these mighty surges that 
it is frequently heard on the Isle of Mull. Whether 
made by man or by Nature, the cave is of great age. 
If by the former, it was in an age of barbarity and super- 
stition, and by a people who must have surmounted 
their fears, and by some art and device have supplied 


27 


IS fingal's cave of human origin. 

themselves with the most approved machinery in order 
to excavate the rock to a depth of over twenty feet be- 
low the level of the sea. 

c. When men engage in great undertakings or enter- 
prises, it is with some definite object or purpose in view. 
If this cavern is of human oricrin it must not be assumed 

o 

that it was excavated devoid of design. The under- 
taking, in its very nature and boldness, would be truly 
marvellous. There have been caverns formed for relie- 
ions and other purposes. Scotland abounds in sub- 
terranean natural and artificial hiding places, permanent 
residences, etc. Among the most remarkable for con- 
structive art and historic associations the well-known 
caves beneath the old tower of Hawthornden, near Edin- 
burgh, may be mentioned. They have been hewn with 
great labor and ingenuity, in the rocky cliff which over- 
hangs the river Esk. No tradition preserves the his- 
tory or date of their execution, but concealment evi- 
dently was the design of the projector. The original 
entrance is most ingeniously made in the shaft of a very 
deep draw-well, sunk in the court-yard of the castle, 
and from its manifest utility as the ordinary and indis- 
pensable appenage of the fortress, it most effectually 
conceals its adaptation as a means of ingress and com- 
munication with the rock chambers beneath. (See 
Wilson’s “Prehistoric Annals, ”p. 88.) Eingal’s (Save 
could not have been designed either as a hiding place, 
or as a place of defense. Other isolated rocks, in the 
vicinity, may be seen much better adapted for a place 
of defense. On the island of Cairnburg, one of the 
Treshnish Isles, Sir John MacLean, with a handful 
of followers, was not only able to defy the British gov- 
ernment for two years (1690-2), but also captured sev- 
eral ships laden with necessaries for the army in Ireland. 


28 


fingal’s cave. 


He did not even then capitulate until he received special 
orders from James II. 

If it be contended that the cave was excavated for 
the purpose of inspiring religious awe and veneration 
for the mighty power and awfulness of the supreme 
God of the Druids, then it presupposes a knowledge of 
the effects which the lashings of the sea would have 
on the portals and broken columns. But if so de- 
signed, with a foresight so admirable, the spot selected 
was a most unfavorable one. The island is not only 
small, but during a high sea cannot be approached. 
Practically then the desired effect would be lost. If, 
however, such a design had been purposed, then the 
vast columns resting on the west coast of the southern 
arm of Mull would have been selected. 

d. If Fingal’s Cave is the work of man why may 
not the innumerable caverns of the Hebrides be as- 
signed to the same origin ? All of the caverns of Staffa 
would have just as plausible claims as would those on 
the adjacent islands, among which might be mentioned 
MacKinnon’s and Lord Lovat’s on Mull, and the re- 
markable one on the south side of Ulva, near a place 
called the Castles, and located about a quarter of a mile 
from the shore, the entrance being in the face of an 
abrupt rock rising perpendicularly to a height of one 
hundred feet, — the cave’s height being thirty, breadth 
fifty-eight and length sixty feet, presenting the appear- 
ance of an arch having a span of thirty-seven feet. The 
roof and interior present the appearance of art as well 
as nature. It occupies an area of about thirty-five 
hundred square feet, and is used by the cattle during 
inclement seasons. 


OUTWARD ASPECT. 


29 


V. OUTWARD ASPECT. 

The resisting power of basalt against the encroach- 
ments of the ocean, assisted by the sun, the freezings 
and thawings, the sudden changes in the weather, 
must be very great. Wherever the waves beat against 
the shore, however hard or durable the rock may be, 
still there is a certain amount of erosion, although the 
wasting of the rock may scarcely be perceptible. 
Standing before the adamantine-like pillars of Staffa 
it is impossible to believe, it is difficult to conceive how 
a cavern could be formed where a solid front is pre- 
sented. Why should not the rock give equally at all 
points where the lashings of the waves are the same, 
unless a continuous weak seam occurs? If there 
should be a weak spot, having no considerable depth, 
then erosion would be more or less rapid until the 
fragile part had wasted away. The small cavity thus 
produced, would gradually widen until the exposed 
surface once more presented a comparatively smooth 
face. Is it likely that basalt would present a continu- 
ous seam of weak pillars, surrounded and held togeth- 
er by harder material? If there is a continuous line 
of softer pillars, the island of Staffa has not yet re- 
vealed it. 

It may be safely affirmed that the material for the 
solution of geological problems can generally be found 
in the vicinity where the necessity arises for an answer. 
If there were no basalt or caverns in the immediate 
vicinity, save those columns forming Fingal’s Cave, 
there is sufficient evidence in the structure itself to 
demonstrate by what process of nature it was excavated. 


30 


fingal’s cave. 

VI. LOCAL GEOLOGY. 

I would not desire to affirm that the greolopfical struct- 
lire of the adjacent islands was necessarily involved 
in this consideration ; and yet a knowledge of it must 
be of interest and importance. There are certain feat- 
ures which may be advantageously used in solving the 
problem, and thus arrive at a clear understanding. 

A surface view of the geology ol the immediately 
surrounding country exhibits Staffa, Little Colonsay, 
the Treshnish Isles, Gometra, Ulva, the whole of the 
north-west as well as the Ross of Mull, and the south- 
western part of Morvern, to be of basaltic formation. 
Granite forms the extreme part ot the south end and 
the extreme north-eastern coast of Mull. Iona, a part 
of the Ross of Mull, a portion of Inch Kenneth, a 
border on the opposite shore of Mull and the greater 
part of Morvern, belong to the Laurentian. Both Mull 
and Morvern present patches of the Upper Cretaceous 
with slight exposures of Jurassic. A closer inspection 
shows that Mull has been subjected to violent disturb- 
ances. Broken formations may be seen in almost every 
conceivable position. The central mountain group of 
Mull constitutes the remains of a great volcano. Pro- 
fessor J. W. Judd (‘‘Quarterly Journal of the Geolog- 
ical Society,” August, 1874, p. 259) estimates that the 
minimum elevation of the summit of this volcano was 
ten thousand feet ; while, at the present time, the high- 
est point on the island is Ben Alore, which reaches an 
altitude of three thousand one hundred and seventy- 
two feet. Out of the tertiary volcano were hurled fel- 
spatic ashes, lapilli and scoriae, followed by streams of 
trachytic lavas now forming felstones. After a long 
period of inactivity another eruption took place when 


MUM. AND ADJACENT ISLES. 



(3O 



32 


fingal’s cave. 


lavas, possessing great fluidity, poured out in great 
volumes and flowed to enormous distances, and in some 
places accumulated to a depth of two thousand feet. 
Since then the volcano has been extinct. The great 
basaltic plateau became broken up by decay and denud- 
ing agencies, caused not only by streams and fiords, 
but also by the erosions produced by the Great Ice Age. 

During the later flow the island of Staffa appears 
to have been formed. The island is arranged in three 
beds, the lowest of which is composed of trap tufa over 
which the columns, or basalt proper, has been piled. 
The crest or cap is composed of amorphous basalt 
and broken or bent columns. As the sides of Fingal’s 
Cave are composed of thick upright pillars and the roof 
of thin, gracefully curved and intricately interwoven 
shafts, it has been conjectured that the deposits belong 
to different ages. This view would be plausible if 
there was a basin-like formation. The same pecu- 
liarity is also observed in the clam-shell cave. A care- 
ful examination proves that these two varieties of co- 
lumnar basalt form but parts of one lava stream, and 
that there is no reason for ascribing them to different 
epochs. 

The many seismic convulsions which the Hebrides 
have undergone produced fissures, and in these rents 
were deposited materials of decay. To these disturb- 
ances we must, in a great measure, ascribe the vast 
number of caverns, which form such an important feat- 
ure of the western coast of Scotland and her islands. 

VII. CAVE EXPLORATIONS. 

With a view to ascertaining what evidences were 

O 

afforded by caverns concerning fissures being one of 


CAVE EXPLORATIONS. 


the causes which led to excavations, I proceeded upon 
a tour of inspection. The first cavern visited was Lord 
Lovat’s — anciently called Odin’s — located in the ex- 
treme point of the peninsula of Laggan, which sepa- 
rates Loch Buy from the Pdrth of Lorn. The cavern 
is composed of three avenues : the main or entrance 
one, being three hundred feet in length; breadth, for 
the first hundred feet from the entrance, twenty feet, 
and the height forty feet. It then widens rapidly to 
forty-five feet, and its height increases, reaching an 
altitude, as it is claimed, of one hundred and twenty 
feet (? ?) These dimensions are retained to the ex- 
tremity. Near the point of expansion on the west side, 
there is both a depression and a cavity in the wall. At 
the deepest part of the depression and almost against 
the wall is a fissure in the rock, wide enough to admit 
the body of a man. Descending into the fissure the 
second chamber is reached, the roof of which is on a 
level with the main avenue. It bears off in a west by 
north direction and extends a distance of about one 
hundred feet. The breadth and height vary, — the 
greatest dimensions being twelve feet in breadth by 
twenty-four in height. The floor is irregular, the low- 
est part being near the center. At the western ex- 
tremity another chamber is reached, its direction being 
towards the main avenue and at right angles with it. 
It descends rapidly, and from a breadth of ten feet it 
soon terminates in a fissure of unknown height and 
depth. The fissure, instead of being perpendicular, 
bends towards the south at an ang-le of about ten de- 
grees. The entrance to the main avenue is about fif- 
teen feet above the sea level. The cavern was formed 
during a period of subsidence, and by the action of 
water through rock-fissures. The fetch of the ocean, 


34 


fingal’s cave. 

if the cavern was partly above water, would rapidly 
cut away such soft parts as might still cling to the walls. 

MacKinnon’s cave, on Mull, about eight miles east 
of Staffa, affords another example. This cave was 
made somewhat famous by Dr. Samuel Johnson, who 
visited it in 1773. Fortunately, Johnson’s association 
with the young Laird of Coll and Sir Allan MacLean, 
had put him in better humor, in so much so that he 
could speak well of the cavern. He even went so far 
as to declare it ‘‘was the greatest natural curiosity he 
had ever seen” (Boswell). It is hardly probable the 
cave has changed any since Dr. Johnson saw it. It 
can only be reached by boat, and only then when the 
tide is out. The entrance is difficult of access owing 
to the rocks which lie in its front, and against which 
the incoming tide dashes. The entrance is forty-five 
feet in height. The roof rises in regular arched form, 
and is so high that the dim light furnished by the can- 
dles do not afford a good view. The depth is about 
two hundred feet, and in the innermost recess is an- 
other cave of about twenty- five feet in breadth. The 
roof and form of the outer cavern demonstrate that it 
was formed by the constant washing of a fissure. 

From the head of Loch Buy to the Carsaig Arches 
are many caves and indentations in the rock, all of 
which are below the basalt. Near the entrance of 
Loch Buy, on the Carsaig side, is a large rock cut off 
from the cliff. It is composed of two parts, the base 
being cretaceous, and the upper part basaltic columns. 
A beautiful recess has been formed in this rock, ex- 
tending throuoh both formations. It has been used 
as a temporary residence within recent times. 

The Carsaig Arches give us a very clear and defi- 
nite idea how a cavern may be formed in basaltic pil- 


CARSAir, ARCHES— KAS'I' ('OAS'I'OF MUU 












36 fingal’s cave. 

lars. (In our geological map of Mull, these arches 
should be located at Malcolm’s Point.) These re- 
markable geological wonders, located just below Car- 
saig Bay, have been formed by the wasting away of 
the basaltic cliff. At this point the cliff rises to a height 
of nine hundred and seventy feet. The rock through 
which the excavations are made, have the oolite for the 
base and basalt for the covering. The larger arch is 

o o 

open at both ends, having a length of one hundred 
feet; height sixty feet, and breadth fifty-five feet. The 
smaller arch cuts through the detached rock, which is 
one hundred and twenty feet high, producing a cavity 
of seventy feet in height. The aperture was first pro- 
duced in the softer material, and when this widened 
the basalt dropped from above, — aided by the erosions 
of the ocean. 

The coast of Mull produces the evidence that cav- 
erns may be formed in basaltic rock, provided the same 
excavation extends into a softer formation lying under 
it. I could find no cave wholly in the basalt ; and 
this is also true of my subsequent observations at the 
Giant’s Causeway. This feature pressed itself forci- 
bly upon my mind. If such an instance any-where in 
that region, other than at Staffa, occurred, I was very 
anxious to examine it. Fortunately for me, on the 
night of July 9th, 1887, ^ the guest of Colin A. 
McVean, F. R. G. S., F. R. P. S., at his home, Kilfi- 
nichin House, Isle of Mull. Mr. McVean was born 
and brought up on Iona, served in the Admiralty Sur- 
vey of the Hebrides; engineer of the Varna and Rust- 
chuck railway, in Bulgaria, and surveyor-in-chief of Ja- 
pan in 1870. Mr. McVean has an intimate knowl- 
edge of the entire topography of all the islands in his 
vicinity. In conversing with him on the geological 


structure of Fingal’s Cave, I asked him this question : 
“ Barring the island of Staffa, do you know of any cav- 
ern, in this region, wholly in the basalt?” His reply 
was immediate and emphatic, “There is not one.” 

From what I was able to learn by personal explora- 
tions and an examination of the basalt in that region, 
I was forced to the conclusion that no caverns could be 
formed by any of the natural processes in the solid face 
of basaltic rock. 

VIII. ORIGIN OF FINGAL’S CAVE. 

The fore^oincr observations and results derived from 

o o 

personal investigations will assist us in arriving at a 
true solution of the origin of Fingal’s Cave. We now 
come to the cavern itsell. Alter viewing the wonder 
for a few moments, there were two noticeable features 
that impressed themselves on my mind : the first was 
that while the columns on the east side were perpen- 
dicular, those on the west leaned towards the east. 
Our frontispiece, taken from a photograph, shows the 
leaning columns. This is the only correct picture I 
have ever seen. The second feature was a slight 
fissure running the whole length of the cave in the very 
apex of the arch. I have failed to see any notice of 
these two features, by previous travellers, or writers. 

’ These features must of necessity have something to do 
with the solution of the problem. 

Evidently then, there was a fault in the original rock, 
whether made at the time of deposition, cooling, or a 
seismic action, need not here be discussed. The fault 
need not have been in what is now the center of the 
cave, for the action of water is not according to math- 
ematical rule. The slight fissure in the roof of the 

O 


fixgal’s cave. 


38 

cave, of itself, does not prove it extended downwards 
to any considerable extent. If the respective faces of 
the perpendicular and the leaning pillars came to- 
gether, however slio-ht mi^-ht be the ano-le, there is 
sufficient room for the action of water. The evidence 
does not rest here alone, for it is accumulative. As 
has already been stated, the columns rest upon a for- 
mation of basaltic tufa. The accompanying illust;*ation 
shows the three formations, with the dip of the rock 
towards the east, also ofivinor a view of Finoahs and the 
Boat Cave. The tufa is more susceptible to the action 
of water than the pure basalt. Some influence must 
be granted in this direction ; lor the Boat Cave extends 
throucrh both formations. 

o 

As it has been seen that the pillars on the west side 
of Fingal’s Cave are not perpendicular, while those on 
the east are, it is plausible to assume two things: first, 
the aperture or fault was greater at the base than at 
the apex. If, however, it be assumed that these pillars 
were bent by the formation of short ones, at the base, 
then it would be answered that the short pillars must 
have been in the shape of a cone, while the actual pil-' 
lars bear equal proportions throughout the entire 
length. The second inference is that these pillars may 
have leaned owing to a fissure in the rock upon which 
it stands, caused during the process of cooling. 

There is another consideration deserving of special 
attention. Returning to the geology of Mull, we find 
sandstones. Upper Cretaceous and jurassic rocks un- 
derlying the columns of basalt. All about Carsaig 
Bay, we find the summits of the hills rising from seven 
hundred and eighty five to fourteen hundred and seven- 
ty feet above the sea, composed of columnar basalt, 
some of the columns of which are over four feet in di- 


COLONNADE SHOWINCi T.OAT AND FINGAL’S CAVE. 



(39) 







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(40) 


41 


ORIGIN OF FINGAl’s CAVK. 

ameter. At the base of the declivity, when the tide 
was out, I fathered many specimens of ammonites 
aiid otiier varieties of fossils. This formation extends 
under a flinty chalk-bed, over which lies the basalt. 
In the rocks under the basalt the caverns are numer- 
ous. The basaltic tufa of Staffa must either rest upon 
the same formation or else upon the Laurentian, which 
is exposed on Iona. 

The water having excavated, in the softer rock un- 
der what is now Fingal’s Cave, a cavern of sufficient 
size was formed to weaken the roof or rock above; in 
consequence of which, the columns already partially 
disjointed sank into the cavity, thus producing a large 
fissure which would be more exposed to the action of 
the waves. 1 his depression was partly the cause of 
the broken columns within which are formed steps 
upon which the traveller treads in order to gain the 
interior. This view is forcibly illustrated in the forma- 
tion of the Carsaiof arches. 

The considerations herein set forth lead me to the 
following conclusions : 

a. The dip of the rock of the island of Staffa indi- 
cates there must have been a disturbance after the ba- 
salt had been deposited, which must have produced 
more or less crevices in the rocks. 

b. The action of water has made a large excavation 
under and in the basaltic tufa, which action was facili- 
tated by a fault or fissure in the rock. 

c. The action of the water under and against the 
basaltic tufa, caused an erosion sufficient to unsettle 
the basaltic columns above. 

d. This removal or wasting of the pillars was has- 
tened by a flaw or fissure existing between them. 


42 


pingal’s cave. 


IX. ANTIQUITIES. 

It is not designed here to treat of the antiquities on 
the islands adjacent to Stafta. They resolve them- 
selves into Prehistoric, Danish, Gaelic, and Ecclesias- 
tical. Of the first the finest is the Druidical circle 
near the head of Loch Buy on the plain of Magh. An- 
other circle may be seen at the head of Loch Scridain, 
on a farm called Rossal. Another occurs near the 
head of Loch na Lathaich, on the Ross of Mull. On 
the height, near the head of Loch Cuinn, is a circle 
composed of five stones ; and on Ardnamurchan, east 
of ]\Iingary Castle, is another circle. Standing Stones 
are more or less numerous, and by the people are 
called Carragh, which means a pillar, a monument. A 
vitrified fort is on the north-eastern border of Loch 
Tearnate, while tumuli may be seen in various locali- 
ties ; the largest of which is on Morvern, called Carn- 
na-Caillich. Graves, containing stone coffins, are of 
frequent occurrence. 

A series of stone towers, within view of each other, 
are seen on the Isles. The remains of old feudal cas- 
tles and ecclesiastical buildings are very numerous. 
Prominent among the former are Duard, Ardtornish, 
Mingary, Moy and Breachacha Castles ; and among 
the religious houses, those on Iona and Oronsay are 
known wherever the history of the Christian Church 
has been read. 


X. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 

It is but just that I should acknowledge my obliga- 
tions to The MacLaine of Lochbuie and The MacLean 
of Pennycross, who did all within their power to assist 


43 


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 

me in the prosecution of my labor. They appeared 
to anticipate my wants and provided means for my 
conveyance. Without this assistance, a stranger in a 
strange land, although treading the ground of my fore- 
fathers, my work, at that time, could scarcely have 
been performed. 

The great kindness of Miss Guthrie, of London, 
deserves to be specially mentioned. Without the ask- 
ing she placed at my disposal her good steam-yacht. 
The Lussa, which thus enabled me to visit Iona, Staffa, 
Colonsay, Oronsay, and the Garvelloch, or Holy 
Islands. 




LIST OF PATRONS 


Aberiiethy, ^Irs. Charles, 31) AVest oGtli St., New York, N. V. 
Academy of Sciences, Davenport, Iowa. 

Alexander, D. AV., 65 Front St., Fast Toronto, Canada. 

Allan, AV., Esq., Scotland House, Sunderland, Eng*. (2 coi)ies.> 
Andrews, Dr. C. AL, Rryn Alawr College, Dryn Alawr, Pa. 


Baker, Jas. II., Allegheny, Pa. 

Baldwin. Evelyn B., ( )swego, Kan. 

Baldwin, Hon. C. C., Judge Circuit Court, Cleveland, (). 

Barbour, Prof. Erwin Hinckley, Iowa College, Grinnell, Iowa. 
Beaver, Prof. A. II., Normal School, Dixon, 111. 

Belcher, Airs. Elizabeth AIcLean, Cherry A^alley, N. Y. 

Besore, Chas. A., Urbana, 111. 

Brainier, Dr. John C., State Geologist, Little Rock, Ark. 
Brownell, ITof. AV. A., 605 Eniversity Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. 
Burnell, Rev. AV. P., Provincetown, Alass. 

Campbell, AV., C.P.R., 116 King St., AAYst Toronto, Canada. 
Catlin, AI. R., Centralia, ATi. 

Catto, John, The Tartan House, 50 King St., East Toronto, Canada 


Chase, Aliss Eva F., Parker, S. Dak. 

Clarke, J. AL, Eureka, Kan. 

Clark, Prof. James G., LL.D., AATlliam Jewell College, Libertv 

AIo. 


Clephane, Thomas, Corner Sherman and Dalton Ave., Cincinnati 

0 . 

Cole, Prof. A. H., Colgate Eniversity, Hamilton, N. Y. 

Cozzens, Fred T., Leominster, Alass. 

Craig, J. AV., ALT)., Alanstield, 0. 

Dichey, Aliss Lola, German, (J. (3 copies.) 

Dinsmore, Rev. L. J., A.AL, Alacomb, 111. 

Douglas ck Foulis, Alessrs., Booksellers, Edinburgh, Scot. 

Doyle, E. A., AATnchester, ( ). 

Eaton, Prof. James R., AATlliam Jewell College, Liberty, AIo. 
Engle, AA’^m. 11. , AI.D., State Library, Harrisburgh, Pa. 


46 


LIST OF PATRONS. 


Eyermaii, Jolin, Easton, Pa. 

Finnegan, Jeremiah T., Attorney, Houghton, iMich. 

Fletcher, 8. L., Charlestown, X. H. 

Ford, AV. J., Urbana, 111. 

Fradenljurgh, Kev. J. AV., Ph.D., D.D., AA'arren, Pa. 

Fraser- Alaeintosh, Charles, Esq., AI.P., F.8.A., Scot., Inverness, 
Scot. 

Gifford, H. L., Attorney-at-Law, Hamilton, O. 

Gooley, Frank, Xew Holland, 0. 

Griffith, ^Irs. Elizabeth, I4>por X^orwood, London, Eng. 
Guttenberg, Prof. Gustave, Central High School, Pittsburg, Va. 
Hackman, H. S., Peru, 111. 

Haggerty, Sharp, Ih'ooks, Kan. 

Haight, AAffii. R., Farlville, 111. 

Hargitt, Prof. Chas. AV., Ph.D., Aliami University, Oxford, O. 
Higgins, A. F., AI.D., Eureka, Kan. 

Holden, E. G. D., Attorney-at-Law, Grand Kai>ids, Alich. 

Hoss, Charles, Farlville, 111. 

Hovey, Rev. C. H., D.D., Bridgeport, Conn. 

Huber, AAhn., Jr., Hamilton, O. 

Hurt', C. Edward, Eureka, Kan. 

Hume, John, AI.G.S., London, Eng., Eglinton PL, Davenport, la. 
Jaques, Airs. Jennie E., Urbana, 111. 

Johnstone, John, P Castle St., Rothesay, Scot. 

Johnston, John, Jr., Coll, By 01)an, Scot. 

Kennedy, George, Crown Land Dept., Toronto, Canada. 

Kumler, B. AAL, Parker, S. Dak. 

Lawton, Joseph G., De Pere, AVis. 

Levack, Alexander, (1(1 Agnes St, Toronto, Canada. 

Lloyd. J. A., Dixon, 111. 

Luthe, E. II., AIcGregor, Iowa. 

Alacdonald, A. F., Principal AAAllesley School, Toronto, Canada. 
Alacdonald, D. T., J. P., Red Jacket, Alicli. 

Alacdonald, Hugh, P. AL, Tiree, By Oban, Scot. 

Alackenzie, D. A., P Lowther Avenue, Toronto, Canada. 
Alackenzie, John, Esq., Duldigoradh, Shisken, Arran, Scot. 
Alackenzie, AAL, Esq., Cabartieth House, Inverness, Scot. 
Alackinnon, Hugh, South Finch, Out., Canada. 

Alackinnon, J. P., CIiel)oygan, Alich. 

3IcKinnon, Airs. Caj)t., Carnaig House, Coll, By Oban, Scot. 


LIST OF PATRONS. 


47 


^laclean, Allan, Esq., Tlio Acacias, East South Sea, Eng. 

I>IacLean, Allan, Kingston, Out., Canada. (4 co})ies.) 

Maclean, Alexander T., Esq., Ardgour, Scot. 

MacLean, Eugene II., Earlville, 111. 

INIaclean, J. O., Los Angeles, Cal. 

Maclean, John, Penn. Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. 

^lacLean, Lady, iMoreton Hall, Congleton, Cheshire, Eng. (12 
copies. ) 

MacLean, Lauchlin, Spokane Falls, Wash. 

iNIaclean, ]\Iiss Catherine Cameron, of Coll, Gleninakra, Upper 
Norwood, London, Eng. ((> copies.) 

MacLean, Mrs. Charles Fraser, Ivlgewood, White Plains, N. Y. 
iMacLean, Mrs. Kate Seymour, Kingston, Canada. 

MacLean, Kob. :\I. L., Es(p, Fliot Hill, Black Heath, Kent, Eng. 
( 2 copies. ) 

iMaclean, Sir Fitzroy Donald, Bart., 15 Hyde Park Terrace W., 
J^ondon, Fhig. 

MacLean. T. E. IL, Supt. Hospital, Cincinnati, O. 

5Ialcolm, Geo., Esq., Invergarry, Scot. 

Mann, John, Winchester, O. 

INIanstield, Rev. J. IL, (13 Marianna St., Lynn, Mass. 

Marcy, Prof. Oliver, Northwestern L^niversity, Evanston, 111. 
]Marshall, C. L., Parker, S. Dak. 

^IcClain, Rev. T. B., Conners ville, Ind. 

5IcClain, AV. A., 51. D., Winchester, O. 

5IcClean, Geo. C., 51. D., Springtield, 5Iass. 

5IcClintock, Andrew T., Attorney, AVilkes Barre, Pa. 

51cCord, D. A., Oxford, O. 

5IcGrew, 5Irs. Geo., Jettersonville, O. 

5IcHenry, Ih’of. B. F., I^nion CJiristian College, 5Ierom, Ind. 
Alclntyre, 5Iiss Jessie, Dervaig, By Tobermory, Scot. 

5IcLain, A. (_)., National Bank, Newton, Kan. 

5IcLain, Thomas Baird, AV heeling, AV. A"a. 

5IcLane, James, Franklin, O. 

5IcLean, Archibald, Church ville, Flast River, N. S. 

5IcLean, Arthur, E., The Ilillhurst, Norfolk, Conn. 

AIcLean, David, Danbury, Conn. 

AIcLean, G. H., 15(1 Broadway, New AMrk, N. Y. 

5IcLean, John R., 539 5Ionroe St., 5Iacon, Ga. 

5IcLean, John R., Sr., 1023 Emery Ave., Evanston, 111. 


48 


LIST OF PATRONS. 


^McLean, J. AV., 44 State St., Chicago, 111. 

McLean, Airs. Alary D., AVetherstieM, Conn. (2 copies.) 

AIcLean, Airs. Susan A., 3402 AVabash Ave., Chicago, 111. 

AIcLean, Lev. Arcliibald, Blyth, Ont., Canada. 

AIcLean, Kev. B., The Alanse, Strontian, Lochsunnart, Scot. 
AIcLean, AV. A., 185 La Salle St., Chicago, 111. 

AIcAIillan, John C., A^onge St. AVharf, East Toronto, Canada. 
AIcA^ean, Colin A., F.K.G.S., F.B.P.S., PeniiygliTiel, Isle of AIull, 
Scot. 

Aleeds, Bella Alaclean, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Alerwin, Orange, Bridgeport, Conn. 

Aliller, G. AI., Asewport, Ky. 

Alilne, Alessrs. A. and K., Booksellers, Aberdeen, Scot. 

Alitchell Lil)rary, Ingram St., Glasgow, Scot. 

Aloon, Airs. S. T., 300 AVest 0th Ave., CN>luml)us, O. 

Aloore, 1. T., Bradford, O. 

Alorey, Hon. II. L., AI.C., Hamilton, ( ). 

Alorris, Henry C., Attorney, 175 Dearborn St., Chicago, 111. 
Alorrison, J. AV. and H., Asew Lisbon, (). 

Alumford, .Tose])h E., Alcony, O. (2 copies.) 

Alumford, Airs. Nancy F., Alcony, (.). (2 copies.) 

Alumford, AV. K., Brandt, (4. 

Alurray, .John AL, 05 Front St., blast Toronto, Canada. 

Newton, Dr. AV. S., Oswego, Kan. 

Orton, Prof. Edward, State Fniversity, Columbus, O. 

Owen, Ed., German, 0. 

Panton, I’rof. J. 11. , ALA.. F.G.S., Agricultural College, Guelph, 
Out., Canada. 

Park, .loseph, Urbana, 111. 

Idiillips, Airs. Francis, 28 Cromwell Grove, A\T*st Kensington, 
London, Eng. 

Proctor, Frank, Franklin Falls, N. II. 

Public Library, Boston, Alass. 

Public Lil)rary, New All)any, Ind. 

Quinn, Bev. Jas. C.. Ph.D., D.D., LL.D., Anaconda, Alont. 

Biley, Airs. Anna, Urbana, 111. 

Boi)er, .lohn IL, Ikirker, S. Dak. 

Bussell, II. AI., Urbana, 111. 

Scott, Clifton, AI.D., Normal School, Des Aloines, Iowa. 

Sears, Airs. F. 11. , lOO Sigourney St., Hartford, Conn. 


LIST OF PATRONS. 


49 


kSJociini, Charles E., Ph.D., Dehanee, O. 

.speckmaii, Prof. Wesley X., I’Jiilaiuler Smith C(.)llege, Little Pock, 
Ark. 

Stel)liins, E<hv. S., (>0S ]\Iasonie Temple, ]\Iiimeat)olis, ]\Iiiin. 
Stephen, James, Central City, Xel). 

Stoner, liev. J. A., Seneca, Kan. 

Summers, Pev. P. AV., San Luis Ol)ispo, ('al. 

Tahnage, Samuel F., Perlin, Conn. 

Thin, James, Bookseller, Edinhurgh, Scot. (oO e(Ji>ies.) 
Thompson, Alton II., D.D.S., 72 Hanson Ave., To}>eka, Kan. 
Thompson, C'harles A., (Juincy, Alich. 

Thompson, Pev. J. A., A.AL, Prest. Tarkio ('ollege, Tarkio, iMo. 
Thoroman, lh*of. L. ()., Prest. Xormal I'niversity, Salina, Kan. 
Treganza, J. A., Britt, Iowa. 

Tyler, E. E., Kansas City, AIo. 

Whml, Airs. Fannie B., Pavenna, O. 

AVard, Asline, 2J Chaml)ers St., Xew York, X. Y . 

AAkirren, C'harles AL, C'ollinsville, C'onn. 

AVaternian, John P., AVoonsoeket, P. I. 

AVestern Peserve Hist. Society, C'leveland, (). 

AVilliams, Hr. F. II. , Bristol, C'onn. 

AVilliams, Israel, .Vttorney-at-Law, Hamilton, O. 

AVilson, Hr. Pol)ert T., 820 Park Ave, Baltimore, Aid. 

AVooster, Ih’of. L. C'., Eureka, Kan. 

AAYtherspoon, Airs. AATlliam AAhallace, 110 AA'est 11th St., Xew 
York, X^. Y. 

AAT’ight, Hon. Calvin H., Judge C'ommon Pleas C'ourt, Troy, < ). 
AAT'ight, Prof. G. Frederick, H.H., LL.H., ()l)eilin College, Ol)erlin, 
(). 








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